Railway turnout snow melting device based on phase change energy storage material
By combining phase change energy storage materials and traditional electric heating with a solar heat-absorbing coating, the railway turnout snow melting device solves the problems of high energy consumption, single energy source, and complex maintenance of traditional snow melting methods, achieving efficient and energy-saving snow melting and system simplification.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202521460354.4
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-07-13
- Publication Date
- 2026-08-25
- Estimated Expiration
- 2035-07-13
AI Technical Summary
Traditional snow melting methods for railway turnouts are energy-intensive, rely on a single energy source, and are complex to maintain, resulting in low energy utilization and system integration.
The snow melting device combines phase change energy storage materials with traditional electric heating, and incorporates a solar heat-absorbing coating. It utilizes phase change materials to efficiently store and release heat under different environments, and automatically adjusts the snow melting power with an intelligent control unit.
It achieves efficient and energy-saving snow melting, reduces energy consumption, simplifies system design, reduces maintenance costs, and is applicable to various rail transit scenarios.
Smart Images
Figure CN224678451U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of railway turnout snow melting technology, specifically a railway turnout snow melting device based on phase change energy storage material. It utilizes a railway turnout snow melting system that combines phase change energy storage material (PCM) with traditional electric heating, aiming to solve the problems of high energy consumption, single energy source, and complex maintenance of traditional snow melting methods. Background Technology
[0002] Railway turnouts are prone to snow and ice accumulation in winter, affecting train operation safety. Traditional snow melting methods mainly rely on electric heating, which has problems such as high energy consumption, single energy source, and complex maintenance.
[0003] In recent years, although multi-source complementary snow melting technologies (such as solar energy and geothermal energy) have made some progress, there is still room for improvement in energy utilization efficiency and system integration.
[0004] Existing technological shortcomings: Traditional snow melting relies on a single energy source, primarily electric heating; High energy consumption and complex maintenance; Energy efficiency and system integration are not high and need to be further improved. Summary of the Invention
[0005] This invention proposes a snow melting device for railway turnouts based on phase change energy storage materials, so as to achieve efficient and energy-saving snow melting effects under different environments.
[0006] The technical solution of this utility model is: a snow melting device for railway turnouts based on phase change energy storage materials, characterized in that: it includes: a track tread and a track bottom base in the track structure, including heat pipes, phase change materials, copper mesh, extended heat pipes, and a track bottom base; the track bottom base supports the track tread; the track bottom base is designed with a honeycomb container, and the PCM module is installed in the honeycomb container of the track bottom base and at the rail waist position of the track bottom base.
[0007] The track tread surface is covered with a copper alloy layer, and heat pipes are embedded in the waist of the track structure.
[0008] The track treads are made of aluminum with a thickness of 1mm and are treated with an anti-corrosion coating for outer protection.
[0009] The bottom base of the track has drainage grooves on both sides of the track, and seepage holes are set at the bottom of the base.
[0010] The phase change material uses a composite fatty acid with a latent heat value of 200 kJ / kg, which is a core component of PCM.
[0011] The PCM module contains a copper mesh with a mesh density of 10×10mm.
[0012] The heat pipe is wrapped with a vacuum insulation layer and a waterproof and corrosion-resistant coating, the thickness of which is 5mm.
[0013] The track structure includes the track tread and the track base, and a phase change material module is embedded in the track structure; a heat pipe or electric heating strip heating device is installed near the waist of the track structure.
[0014] The track bottom base may have an integrated solar heat-absorbing coating.
[0015] The advantages of this utility model are: 1. Energy-saving and efficient: The energy storage characteristics of phase change energy storage materials reduce the reliance on traditional electric heating, significantly reducing energy consumption.
[0016] 2. Intelligent and convenient: The intelligent control unit can automatically adjust the snow melting power according to real-time meteorological data and track status, thereby improving snow melting efficiency.
[0017] 3. Economical and reliable: The integrated system design reduces the number and complexity of equipment, thereby lowering construction and maintenance costs.
[0018] 4. Strong compatibility: Applicable to various rail scenarios such as high-speed rail, subway, and tram.
[0019] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Attached Figure Description Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the track cross-section structure;
[0020] Figure 2 A schematic diagram showing the packaging details of a PCM module; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the thermal cycle principle of the system in an embodiment of this utility model.
[0021] In the diagram: 1. Track tread; 2. Heat pipe; 3. PCM module; 4. V-shaped flow channel; 5. Track bottom base; 6. Drain hole; 7. Honeycomb container; 8. Aluminum shell; 9. Vacuum insulation layer; 10. Phase change material; 11. Copper mesh; 12. Extended heat pipe. Detailed Implementation
[0022] To further illustrate the technical means and effects of this utility model in achieving its intended purpose, the specific implementation methods, structural features and effects of this utility model are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. Example 1
[0023] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, this utility model designs a railway turnout snow melting device based on phase change energy storage material, characterized by: including: a track tread 1 and a bottom base 5 in the track structure, including a heat pipe 2, a PCM module 3, a copper mesh 11, and an extended heat pipe 12; the bottom base 5 supports the track tread 1; the bottom base 5 is designed with a honeycomb container 7, and the PCM module 3 is installed in the honeycomb container 7 of the bottom base 5 and at the rail web position of the bottom base 5.
[0024] The track tread 1 is covered with a copper alloy layer, the track waist is embedded with heat pipes 2, the track has V-shaped drainage grooves 4 on both sides, and the track base 5 is provided with drainage holes 6.
[0025] PCM module 3 uses an aluminum shell with a thickness of 1mm, which is treated with an anti-corrosion coating for outer protection.
[0026] like Figure 2 As shown, phase change material 10 uses composite fatty acids with a latent heat value of 200 kJ / kg, which is a core component of PCM.
[0027] The PCM module 3 contains a copper mesh 11 with a mesh density of 10×10mm and extends outwards, mainly for enhancing heat conduction.
[0028] The aluminum casing 8 is encased in a vacuum insulation layer 9, which is 5mm thick, to reduce the loss of internal phase change temperature of the PCM module 3 to the outside.
[0029] like Figure 3 As shown, the left side represents the daytime heat absorption stage. When the ambient temperature is ≥5℃, the phase change material 10 begins to absorb heat from the sun and the surrounding environment, and the PCM changes from a solid state to an approximately liquid state. like Figure 3 The right side represents the heat release stage at night or in cold weather. When the ambient temperature is ≤0℃, the phase change material 10 begins to release heat to the outside, and the PCM will change from liquid to solid.
[0030] Figure 3 The arrow in the closed loop indicates the cycle between the "heat absorption" and "heat release" stages; The formula for calculating latent heat is: Q = m·L, where Q represents latent heat, which is the heat absorbed or released by a substance during a phase change, and the unit is joule (J); m represents the mass of the substance, and the unit is kilogram (Kg); L represents the latent heat of phase change of the substance, and the unit is joule / kilogram (J / Kg); the substance mentioned above is the phase change material.
[0031] like Figure 2 As shown, the phase change energy storage module is embedded in the track structure to ensure the best surface heat transfer efficiency between it and the track tread 1. Heat pipes 2 or electric heating strips are installed near the waist of the track structure as auxiliary heat sources to ensure rapid snow melting even under extreme low temperature conditions.
[0032] Temperature and snow depth sensors are installed on the track structure and connected to the controller to ensure that it can accurately monitor the switch status and automatically adjust the heating power.
[0033] In the track structure design of this utility model, a honeycomb container 7 is embedded in the bottom base 5 of the track and filled with a composite fatty acid with a phase change temperature of 2°C.
[0034] The track tread 1 is welded with a copper alloy heat-conducting layer with a thickness of 2mm, and the surface is treated with anti-slip treatment.
[0035] The workflow of this utility model embodiment is as follows: When the ambient temperature is ≥5℃, PCM absorbs heat and liquefies to store thermal energy. When the temperature drops below 0°C, the PCM solidifies and releases heat, which raises the temperature of the track surface to 1~2°C through the heat-conducting layer. Snowmelt water is discharged into the water collection ditch outside the track through the diversion channel.
[0036] The performance parameters of this utility model embodiment are: The single-meter track integrated PCM has a capacity of 5kg and a latent heat value of ≥200kJ / kg; Continuous snow melting capability: Maintains no snow accumulation for 8 hours at -10℃.
[0037] For elevated sections of urban rail transit, this utility model embodiment adopts a double-layer PCM structure: the upper layer has a phase change temperature of 3℃ (to cope with normal snowfall), and the lower layer has a phase change temperature of -5℃ (to cope with extreme cold waves).
[0038] Furthermore, a solar heat-absorbing coating is integrated into the base 5 at the bottom of the track to enhance daytime heat collection efficiency.
[0039] Its working principle is that during the day or when the ambient temperature is high, the PCM absorbs heat from the surface of the turnout and solar radiation and stores it as latent heat. At night or when the temperature is low, the PCM solidifies and releases heat to maintain the surface temperature of the turnout above the freezing point and prevent snow from accumulating and freezing.
[0040] When the phase change material (PCM) is insufficient in heat, the control module activates the heating unit to supplement the heat and ensure that the surface temperature of the turnout is maintained within the temperature range required for snow melting.
[0041] The entire system of this utility model can be described using the following modules to provide a full understanding of this utility model: Phase change energy storage module: PCM module 3, encapsulated on the inner side of the track base or rail web, uses organic or inorganic materials (such as paraffin, fatty acid salts, graphene composite PCM) with a phase change temperature of 0~5℃, to release heat for snow melting at low temperatures.
[0042] Heating module: Electric heating strips or microwave heating devices serve as auxiliary heat sources to ensure rapid snow melting under extreme low temperature conditions.
[0043] Intelligent control module: Equipped with temperature sensor, snow depth sensor and controller, it monitors the switch status in real time and automatically adjusts the heating power.
[0044] Thermal conductivity structure: The track surface is covered with a high thermal conductivity metal layer (aluminum / copper alloy), and a heat pipe or graphene thermal conductive film is embedded to enhance thermal diffusion efficiency.
[0045] Insulation and protective layer: The PCM is wrapped with a vacuum insulation layer to reduce heat loss, and the outer layer is coated with a waterproof and corrosion-resistant coating.
[0046] Drainage structure: The track is equipped with guide channels and micro seepage holes on both sides to accelerate drainage after snow melts.
[0047] The integrated design combines the phase change energy storage module with the heating module, reducing the number and complexity of equipment and improving the reliability and economy of the system; in terms of intelligent control, the intelligent control module achieves precise snow melting through sensors and controllers, improving the automation level of the system.
[0048] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model and is not intended to limit the scope of implementation of the present utility model. Any changes, substitutions or improvements made to the structure and features described in the claims of the present utility model should be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.
Claims
1. A snow melting device for railway turnouts based on phase change energy storage materials, characterized in that: include: The track tread (1) and track bottom base (5) in the track structure include heat pipe (2), PCM module (3), V-shaped flow channel (4), water seepage hole (6), honeycomb container (7), aluminum shell (8), vacuum insulation layer (9), phase change material (10), copper mesh (11), and extended heat pipe (12); the bottom base (5) supports the track tread (1); the track bottom base (5) is designed with honeycomb container (7), and the PCM module (3) is installed in the honeycomb container (7) of the track bottom base (5) and at the waist of the track bottom base (5).
2. The railway turnout snow melting device based on phase change energy storage material according to claim 1, characterized in that: The track tread (1) is covered with a copper alloy layer, and the track waist of the track structure is embedded with heat pipes (2).
3. A railway turnout snow melting device based on phase change energy storage material according to claim 1, characterized in that: The PCM module (3) has an aluminum shell with a thickness of 1mm and is treated with an anti-corrosion coating.
4. A railway turnout snow melting device based on phase change energy storage material according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom base (5) of the track has drainage grooves (4) cut on both sides of the track, and seepage holes (6) are set at the bottom of the base.
5. A railway turnout snow melting device based on phase change energy storage material according to claim 1, characterized in that: The phase change material (10) uses a composite fatty acid with a latent heat value of 200 kJ / kg.
6. A railway turnout snow melting device based on phase change energy storage material according to claim 1, characterized in that: The PCM module (3) contains a copper mesh (11) with a mesh density of 10×10mm.
7. A railway turnout snow melting device based on phase change energy storage material according to claim 1, characterized in that: The aluminum outer shell (8) is wrapped with a vacuum insulation layer and a waterproof and anti-corrosion coating, with a thickness of 5mm.
8. A railway turnout snow melting device based on phase change energy storage material according to claim 1, characterized in that: include: The track structure includes a track tread (1) and a track bottom base (5), and a phase change material (10) module is embedded in the track structure; Heat pipes (2) or electric heating strips are installed near the waist of the track structure.
9. A railway turnout snow melting device based on phase change energy storage material according to claim 1, characterized in that: The track bottom base (5) or integrated solar heat-absorbing coating.